Don Miller should be required reading for twenty-somethings.

A Million Miles in A Thousand Years—Donald Miller
There’s something about Miller and the way he tells stories. I’ve not read all of his books, but when I read my first Miller book, Through Painted Deserts, I fell in love with his writing style. Perhaps it’s his openness, harsh honesty with himself, or maybe it’s his willingness to share the pain and the joy of his life with us. Whatever it is, I thoroughly enjoyed his newest book, which has a focus on creating a great story for our own lives. Personally, I hold fast to the belief that people can learn more about life and self through fiction than non-fiction, but Miller’s book skewed that view. A non-fiction book about a true story (Miller’s life) and a fiction story (a screenplay that he and others were writing) has already altered my view on life, love, and conflict.
In more ways than I’m entirely comfortable with, I identify with Miller. There was a particular moment (page 76, to be exact), in which I thought “Ouch, that hurt!” moment. I don’t think I’ve ever felt so called out by a book, ever. Miller is telling a story about a young mother in a coffee shop with a crying child and his reaction to this particular incident was not his norm. Typically, he said, he would have been annoyed but at that moment he realized that crying children are a reality, and while he spent his 20’s daydreaming and hiding from such reality, others were creating their own unique stories with real characters that cry in coffee shops. When I read Miller’s reflections on that scenario, I envisioned my self in that coffee shop internally scoffing at the young family and then I felt the panic that Miller later when on to discuss. Now, I don’t have a sudden urge to have a family. However, I do have a greater appreciation for the lives that people choose to live (even if they scare the shit out of me), and that makes my life that much more positive. 
What I love most about this book is the fact that while reading it, I was reflecting on my own life while reading about Miller’s. It allowed me time and space to see someone else hold a mirror to their life, while I held one up to my own. This book definitely incited me to choose my story and to make it great. This book is perfect for people who are feeling stuck, bored, or overwhelmed with their lives. We have so much power in choosing the story that we want to live, and that is something that is not usually acknowledged publicly. I can choose to make my story great, mediocre, or boring; and any of those options require some sort of action or non-action, but the choice still has to be made. Thanks, Don!